Special course torpedo



Dec. 4, 1956 D. c; WHITE 2,772,647

SPECIAL COURSE TORPEDO med April 27. 1951 O 2o I 22 M...

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32 i 34 33 I' =l cg 35 l la e 3 INVENTOR DAV/D 6. WHITE Q/Em/ 2@ L ATTORNEYS United States PatentO SPECIAL COURSE TORPEDO David C. White, Honolulu, Territory of Hawaii Application April 27, 1951, Serial No. 223,427

1 Claim. (Cl. 114-23) (Granted under Title 35, U. S. Code (1952), sec. 266) The invention relates to improvements `in `torpedoes and more speci-cally to a gyroscopically controlled course director for a submarine automobile torpedo.

An important object of the invention is to provide a torpedo that may be tired when the only information available is the target course (angle on the bow) and instantaneous bearing rate, thus eliminating the necessity for range observations and providing additional security for a submarine making an underwater approach.

Another object of the invention is the provision of a torpedo designed to maintain an arcuate course of a constant angular velocity which may be set equal to the instantaneous target bearing rate just before the torpedo is red. Theoretically, this torpedo will hit the target only if the target maintains a constant angular velocity relative to the tiring point. It the ratio of torpedo speed to target speed is high, a reasonable probability of a hit exists when the torpedo is tired from any position. As the speed ratio decreases, the range of 'allowable target angles tor successful attack .is narrowed, the optimum angle on the l'bow being around 90.

The probability of obtaining a hit is also laffected by delay in iii-ing the torpedo and in its assuming the prescribed arcuate course, by errors in observations of target bearing rate and angle on the bow, 'and by variations in torpedo course and speed.

In practice, only the first part of a circular run would be of any offensive value. A further object of the invention is the provision of a torpedo adapted to run straight after completing a limited 'arcuate run, thereby saving Ithe submarine from the consequences of a circular run.

Other objects yand advantages of the invention Iwill become apparent during the course of the following detailed description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawing, forming a part of this specification, and in which drawing,

iFig 1 is .a diagrammiatic view of the torpedo course director.

yFig. 2 is a central longitudinal vertical sectional view of the gyro pot and associated control mechanism.

Fig. 3 is a diagrammatic view showing the relationship of the torpedo and target courses.

In the drawing, which for the purpose of illustration shows only a preferred embodiment of the invention and wherein similar reference characters denote corresponding parts through out the views, the numberal generally designates a torpedo body provided with conventional steering gear 11 including a vertical rudder 12 mechanically connected as by a rod 13 to a steering engine 14. Removably fastened within the torpedo body -is a conventional gyro pot 15 vertically pivotally supporting a gyroscope 16 in its outer ring 17. Fixed 'with its central axis in alignment with the axis of rotation of the outer ring 17 is an annular cam plate 18 Icooperable with conventional pallet mechanism 19 which may be similar to that shown by Dieter in U. S. Patent 1,233,761 to 2,772,647 Patented Dec. 4, 1956 control the steering engine 14 in accordance with the attitude of the gyro 16. This pallet mechanism 19 is disposed on a top plate 20 rotatably mounted on the circular upper end of the gyro pot 15 so that it may be 'shifted in either direction. As is conventional, the operation of the steering moter 14 will be controlled by a suitable valve, not shown, in turn controlled by the pallet mechanism `19. The U. S.. patent to Hammond, 1,431,142 (Figures 9 to ll) shows one suitable arrangement of 'a pallet and valve mechanism, while, alternatively `a valve arrangement as shown by the U. S. patent to Shonnard, 1,296,330 might be employed. Other suitable arrangement-s will be evident to one skilled in the art.

By shifting the gyro top plate, `an angular relationship is established 'between the pallet mechanism and the gyro cam plate 18. This mechanism sets the angle through which the torpedo will `turn during the initial portion of its path of travel and is: well known in the art as one type of angle dire setting device. As will be apparent, top plate 20 and cam plate 18 are relatively reciprocable members.

The present invention retains the advantages of this conventional angle ire setting device and additionally utilizes the gyroscope and its associated mechanism for directing the torpedo along a circular course of a selected radius commensuratewith the instantaneous target bearing rate. Machined in `the periphery of the top plate 20 is a worm wheel 21 meshing 'with a worm 22 fast on the output shaft 23 of la differential 24. One input shaft 25 Iof the differential '24 extend-s to the outer wall of the torpedo body and terminates in a socket 26 accessible i-from outside the torpedo. By turning the set-ting socket 26, motion will be imparted through the differential 24 and worm 22 to the top plate 20.

Mounted in the torpedo body is a turbine or motor 27 driving the torpedo propeller 28 through a shaft 29. Fast on the propeller shaft 29 is a worm 30 meshing with a worm Wheel 31. -Feathered for Isliding movement axially of a second input shaft l32 of the dilerential 24 under the control of an externally accessible slidable arm 4is a wheel 34 with its periphery frictionally engaging a 'side 35 of the wor-n1 wheel 31. The arrangement is such that rotary mot-ion is transmitted from the propeller shaft 29 to the dierential input shaft 32 at a variable speed ratio selectable by suitable adjustment of `the arm 33.

Referring now to the diagram in Fig. 3, the target bearing rate relative to the submarine O is measured by visual observation or by sonar between points A and B. This bearing rate is set into the director -by shifting the arm 33 to a position along the shaft 32 such that the wheel '34 is rotated at a rate commensurate with the target bearing rate. lf no bearing rate is set 4into the director, the roller wheel I34 will be in the center of the worm wheel 31 and no rotation of the gyro top plate 20 twill occur. If, however, a bearing rate value has been set in, rotation of the propeller shaft will cause a slow turning of the gyro top plate and consequently a deflection of the torpedo into a circular course. Safety stops 36, 37 limit angular movement of the top plate I20 as by engagement with a lug 36a and thus prevent change of course of the torpedo of more than degrees in either direct-ion in order to prevent possible return of the torpedo to the tiring ship.

In Fig. 3 are shown two `separate ycourses of different radii commensurate with dilerent target bearing rates, target interception occurring near points D and E, respectively. In the diagram the initial ltorpedo track OC is normal to the target track ABCDE but the same principles apply to varia-tion of the initial torpedo track within reasonable limits. It may be noted that actual interception may not take place at point D or E, inasmuch as the torpedo is theoretically at point P or G, when the ytarget is at point D or E, respectively. However, the

error involved is actually slight in practice so that with a reasonable spread of torpedoes, a good probability of a hit is ensured. I-t Will also be clear that a simil-ar bearing rate, even on a different target track HJ will cause interception at points K or L. From foregoing it is clear that it is not necessary to know the range or speed of the target prior to firing the improved torpedo.

Although the invention has been illustrated in conjunction with one Itype of gyroscope controlled yangle firing device characterized by a rotary plate on the gyro pot, it will be Iunderstood that it may be lapplied to other types of gyroscope controlled steering gear. Various other changes may be made in the form of invention herein shown and described without departing from ythe spirit of `the invention or `the lscope of the following claims.

The invention described herein may be manufactured and used by or rfor the Government of the United States of America for governmental purposes Without the payment of `any royalties thereon or therefor.

What is claimed is:

The method of effecting an intecept of a torpedo adapted rto lbe launched from 'a submarine with a target moving in water `along a substantially xed course of unknown range from the submarine and at a continuing substantially constant but unknown speed, which comprises determining the rate of change of bearing of the target relative to the 4sulbmarine prior to launching the torpedo, and thereafter eecting movement of the torpedo along a circular arc course of predetermined radius, said radius being predetermined and commensurate with said rate of change of bearing.

References Cited in the le of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,153,678 Dieter Sept. 14, 1915 1,179,440 Leavitt Apr. 18, 1916 1,273,668 Priest July 23, 1918 1,351,526 Lees et al Aug. 31, 1920 1,527,775 Bevans Feb. 24, 1925 1,592,0811 =Colvin July 13, 1926 2,415,430 lFrische Feb. 11, 1947 FOREIGN PATENTS 6,736 Britain Dec. 31, 1907 231,533I Germany Feb. 21, 1908 

